‘We want more’: Surging Charlotte FC set to open MLS playoffs vs. NYCFC

Charlotte FC begins its postseason Tuesday night against New York City FC at Bank of America Stadium, marking the club’s first time having home-field advantage. After a record-setting regular season, the challenge now is proving they can win without two of their most influential players.

Wilfried Zaha, who set an MLS record this season by drawing 125 fouls, will miss the opener after receiving a red card in the regular-season finale against Philadelphia Union. The winger’s dismissal came in stoppage time of a game Charlotte already led 2–0.

“Sometimes the red mist will come down on you,” head coach Dean Smith said after the team’s 2-0 win on Oct. 18, decision day. “He’s human.”

Zaha’s absence compounds the loss of attacking midfielder Pep Biel, who underwent a tendon procedure on Oct. 16 and is out for the playoffs. Together, the duo combined for 20 of Charlotte’s 55 goals and 22 assists this season. Their absence leaves winger Liel Abada and striker Idan Toklomati to shoulder the attacking load.

“We’ve missed players of that caliber before,” Smith said Monday. “But the people who are coming in have got a point to prove — and I like people when they’ve got a point to prove.”

Facing a resurgent NYCFC squad

New York City FC enters the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed under first-year coach Pascal Jansen. The club has developed into one of the league’s most disciplined defensive units, allowing 44 goals — tied for sixth-best in MLS.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese, who starred for the U.S. men’s national team at this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, anchors the back line of Thiago Martins, Justin Haak, and Raul Gustavo. Freese finished 11th in MLS in saves and was named the club’s 2024 MVP before signing a long-term extension through 2030.

Charlotte and NYCFC split their season series, each winning 2–0 at home. While New York stumbled late — dropping three of its final four matches—it remains one of the league’s most experienced playoff sides, led by Maxi Moralez, Aiden O’Neill, and Nicolás Fernández Mercau.

Record-breaking run fuels belief

Charlotte surged into the postseason with 11 wins in its final 13 matches, tying an MLS record with nine straight victories. The club set new franchise marks in wins (19), home wins (13), goals (55), and points (59).

Captain Ashley Westwood said the strong finish reflects the team’s resilience after a midseason slump.

“People laughed at us when we talked about finishing top four,” Westwood said. “But we proved them wrong. We achieved the first step. Now we want more.”

Westwood continued to say the transformation has been steady. “Ever since I’ve been here, we’ve moved in the right direction. We’re attracting top-quality players, and the fan base is phenomenal. I said from Day One I wanted to come here and leave a legacy.”

Smith said roughly 34,000 tickets have been sold for Tuesday’s opener. “It’s the first time we’ve hosted in our short history,” he said. “If we can get that win, it gives the city a big lift. There’s going to be a noise there, and it means a lot to everybody.”

Game 2 set for Yankee Stadium

When the series shifts to New York on Saturday, Charlotte will confront one of MLS’s most challenging venues. Yankee Stadium’s tight pitch — 70 yards wide — forces teams to rely on wing play and set pieces.

Smith said Charlotte “actually dominated more of the ball” in its last visit but struggled with NYCFC’s counterattacks. “Nearly 60% of their chances since we’ve played them have come in transition,” he said. “Our defense has got to be good.”

The smaller field heightens the importance of precision, especially for a team missing its most creative players.

Kahlina anchors one of top defenses

Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year, has been central to Charlotte’s success. The Croatian led MLS in 2025 with 129 saves and posted 12 clean sheets — second-most in the league.

He downplayed outside attention, saying the focus remains internal. “They don’t need to know that,” Kahlina said when asked whether Charlotte’s 2–0 win against Philadelphia in the regular-season finale sent a message. “We just fight for ourselves. Even the best teams can’t just walk into our field.”

Kahlina will again be pivotal as he faces Freese, one of MLS’s top young goalkeepers, in what could become the defining matchup of the series.

Toklomati’s rise provides hope

Toklomati has emerged as Charlotte’s most reliable finisher, scoring 11 goals and recording 15 total goal contributions in his debut MLS season. Ranked No. 3 on the league’s “22 under 22” list, he had a seven-game goal contribution streak late in the year.

Smith said Abada is the “obvious one” to replace Zaha, but the 21-year-old striker’s consistency offers optimism. “If (Kerwin) Vargas, Westwood, and (Harry) Toffolo can find him in good positions,” Smith said, “we’ve got a chance to win despite the players we’re missing.”

A city ready for its moment

For Smith, Tuesday is more than a playoff opener. It’s a milestone for a young franchise still building its identity.

“There’s a togetherness about this club,” he said. “The staff turned the pitch around in 24 hours, and everyone’s pulling the same way. We’ve been driven by what happened last year, and now we’ve got the chance to put that right.”

As Charlotte prepares to take the field before a record home crowd, the task is clear: turn a record-breaking season into a defining playoff run.